Combine that with the fact that increasingly lucrative purses and massive improvements to transportation make it more common for elite horses from across the world to compete in the same races, and its obvious that an apples-to-apples comparison of horses from across various eras is simply impossible. Horse Names in the Big Lights - Celebrity Horses. North American Triple Crown winner in 1973, Fastest recorded time in all three North American Triple Crown events, Two-time American horse of the year (1972, 1973), Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes champion in 1920, Defeated 1919 Triple Crown winner Sir Barton by 7 lengths in 1920, North American Triple Crown winner in 1977, Named US Champion horse at ages two, three, and four, North American Triple Crown winner in 1948, North American Triple Crown winner in 1978, Named US Champion at the ages of two, three, and four, World record holder for the fastest two miles on dirt, Two-time Breeders Cup champion (2008, 2009), Won the first 19 races of her career and finished 19-1, Two-time runner-up for AP Female Athlete of the Year, Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes champion in 1979, World record holder for 1 miles on dirt, Four-time World Thoroughbred Rankings World Champion Sprinter, Three-time Australian Racehorse of the Year, Won 17 races in one season as a three-year-old, Beat both males and females from across Europe, Won the North American Triple Crown in 2015, snapping a 37-year drought, Also won the Breeders Cup Classic in 2015, completing the Grand Slam of American Thoroughbred racing, Posted the fastest closing quarter-mile time in Belmont Stakes history, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes champion in 1953, One of six horses to win the Preakness Stakes, Belmont Stakes, and Travers Stakes, Horse of the Year, Champion handicap horse, Champion sprinter, and Champion male turf horse in 1968, Set a world record in the one-mile distance on any surface, Won 18 of 22-lifetime races and placed or showed in three others, Three-time Grand National steeplechase champion (1973-74, 1977), Finished second in the Grand National in 1976 and 1977, Overcame a 30-length deficit to win the 1973 Grand National. However, as she came out of anesthesia, Ruffian started running on her side. Female horses that exhibit the same amount of strength and determination as a stallion is somewhat of a remarkable thing and must be given the utmost of respect. Best Mate never fell at a fence or hurdle. He collected just over 1000 for the victory. No list of famous racehorses would be complete without Shergar (3 March 1978 c.February 1983), who was bred and owned by HH Aga Khan IV and trained by Michael Stoute in Newmarket. And, it is ultimately common knowledge to be a Million Dollar industry also. The Kentucky Derby is the world's most famous and prestigious horse race. After five successful seasons, she retired from racing and became a broodmare. 1. Here are the five most famous flat races in England on the horse racing calendar. At the 1986 French Champion Hurdle, a misstep on the last fence saw her fall and her neck was broken on impact. It's a handicap held at Melbourne's Flemington Racecourse and was run for the first time in 1861. He was much-loved by the public and trained by Henrietta Knight to win 14 of his 22 races, and finished second in seven more. He won 14 of his 24 races, including the 2008 Cheltenham Gold Cup and the Hennessy Gold Cup in both 2007 and 2009. He won 20 of 21 races. The iconic stallion was elected into both the US and Canadian Racing Hall of Fame in 1976. Also read, 8 interesting facts and FAQs about Winx. The Derby Stakes, usually known as the Epsom Derby or the Derby, is a Group 1 flat horse race held in England for three-year-old colts and fillies. Zenyatta has also been the 2010 Race horse of the year due to carrying most of the weight during any other male or female horse of that years major races. If you wish to view the video of her last and final race, watch HERE. Although never quite getting the applause he deserved for his performances, he was notorious among racing fans during his time and would almost certainly have had a long and successful stallion career. Yet another superstar owned by Khalid Abdullah and easily the best thoroughbred of the modern era, Frankel was unbeaten in 14 races and since 2011 has been the highest rated racehorse in the world. His legendary jockey, Eddie Arcaro, claimed Citation was the greatest horse he ever rode. Before Seattle Slew even made his racing debut in 1976, he was so fast in workouts that a clocker actually added several seconds to his recorded time, feeling his actual time was unbelievable. During his career from 1972 to 1973, he won 16 of his 21 starts. Speaking of incredible stories, our list of famous racehorses would be utterly incomplete if we didn't include Red Rum in it. The subject of books and films, Seabiscuit (23 May 1933 17 May 1947) was a champion Flat horse in the United States who became the top money-winning racehorse up to the 1940s. There are no obstacles for the horse to jump over, such as ditches or hedges. Although he was sterile! Brandon Bridglal The racecourse is surrounded by a forest and it is near the historic castle Chateau de Chantilly. Red Rum completed his national hunt career without sustaining a single fall, and lived until the ripe old age of 30. During her career, she never put a foot wrong and always won her races by several lengths. From 2010 to 2012, the bay stallion won all 14 of his starts, leaving him undefeated in his racing career. Secretariat North American Triple Crown winner in 1973 Fastest recorded time in all three North American Triple Crown events Two-time American horse of the year (1972, 1973) A.P. He finished with a record of 26 victories, 2 seconds, and 1 third in 30 races, and one of the four races he didnt win was a close loss to 1978 Triple Crown winner Affirmed. Achieving such incredible feats, Secretariat became a celebrity to the American people, as his talent was inspiring. With Citation were talking about an elderly lost phantom race horse legend. After winning The Derby, Irish Derby Stakes, and King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes in 2001, he was named the 2001 European Champion Three-Year-Old Colt. . Just as how Sir Albert Einstein has become a standard comparison for brains and intelligence or IQ levels, Man o War has become a standard of comparison to other runners back in his day. Which makes him even more legendary as we speak of his name in shining honor. This post may contain affiliate links. That win came on the heels of her 2008 win in the Breeders Cup Ladies Classic, making her the first horse to win two different Breeders Cup races. He won nine of his 11 starts and amassed $8,650,300 in prize money for his connections. The Triple Crown takes in the 2000 Guineas (one mile), the Derby (1 miles) and the St Leger (1 miles) and so in winning it he showed himself to be the most versatile horse wed seen for over 30 years and achieved a feat never to be repeated in the 20thcentury, or so far in the 21st. Throughout his career from 1976 to 1978, the dark bay stallion won 14 of his 17 starts. Stradivarius is aiming to become the first horse to win four Goodwood Cups in the 208-year history of the race. INDY- Another horse that could easily have won the Triple Crown, A.P. In addition to the numerous accolades Zenyatta received throughout her career for her many unprecedented achievements, she was nearly the first horse to be named US Athlete of the Year by the Associated Press. Secretariat then cemented his legendary status by completing the Triple Crown with a dominating performance at Belmont, finishing 31 lengths ahead of his nearest competitor. The all time record, recognized by the Guinness World Records, goes to Chorisbar who won 197 times over the course of 324 career starts. Although some horses capture the publics imagination in the here and now so to speak, i.e. An extraordinary and good looking horse, Secretariat was a cover star that lived the American dream. The chestnut stallion won 20 of the 21 races he was in, which is a truly impressive feat. Winx Winx might be the greatest racehorse to ever come out of Australia. The last three victories were the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes, making Seattle Slew the first horse to win North Americas Triple Crown while being undefeated at the time. During her career from 2014 to 2019, the bay mare won an outstanding 37 of her 43 starts. Competition may not have been as stiff in the 1800s, but Kincsem still deserves credit for taking on all of Europes top challengers, both male and female. From the legendary Man o War to the incredible Secretariat, the world has seen some truly talented racehorses. Learn More. With his remarkable achievements, Man o War earned the title of THE best racehorse of the 20th century. Frankels specialty during his career were races over a mile. Known among racing fans as The Tank and famed for his rivalry with Kauto Star, Denman had an unrelenting front-running style which took him to the 2008 Cheltenham Gold Cup. Horse & Hound is supported by its audience. Some of the most famous thoroughbred racehorses in worldwide racing history have carried the Godolphin blue silks to victory, helping us win more than 5,000 races worldwide and numerous awards. On top of those races, he also landed the International Stakes at York, the Irish Champion Stakes and the Prix de lArc de Triomphe too to firmly etch his name among the greats of flat racing in the modern era. It is however, believed that he has been poisoned by Mafia members who had concerns of being out of business due to the horses reputation of a constant winning streak. The French-bred National Hunt champion racehorse, who was trained by Paul Nicholls and owned by Clive Smith, also won the Cheltenham Gold Cup twice, in 2007 and 2009. Sea The Stars was of course famous and popular, but his notoriety up to now probably doesnt match his achievements. His greatest single season came in 1948 when he overcame the tragic drowning of his long-time jockey to win the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes, then went on to finish the year with a 19-1 record. Man o War only ever lost to a colt named Upset at Saratoga Race Course, later dubbed the Graveyard of Champions due to great racehorses losing here. In terms of the amount of money Secretariat has generated by his wins which spanned over a very short 16 month career altogether by emerging victoriously first 16 times, coming out second 3 times and third, only ONCE! Back in the 70s, Slew was remembered as a thouroughbred horse born for victory and boy oh boy did he manage to live up to his oath by birth by eventually. His line lives on in Triple Crown winners American Pharoah and Justify, among other champion racehorses. He is co-holder of the record for most title championships as well as wins in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. Race distances. After this successful season, he was retired to the Ballymany Stud in County Kildare, Ireland. A list of notable flat horse races which take place annually in Great Britain, under the authority of the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), including all conditions races which currently hold Group 1, 2 or 3 status in the European Pattern. 1 Dermot Weld theirishfield.ie One of Ireland's greatest ever trainers, Weld has tasted success in all five Irish classics and has saddled big race winners on four different continents. He ran to a five-length victory in his maiden race as a two-year-old at Belmont Park, then later dominated the Champagne Stakes with a then-record time of 1:34.40, winning by 9 lengths. The most successful racing mare in National Hunt racing history having won the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham back in 1984 and also the Cheltenham Gold Cup over the larger obstacles two years later. Samuel Riddle chose to keep Man o War out of the 1920 Kentucky Derby because he felt the 1 mile distance was too far to run his horse that early in his career. Kauto won the Cheltenham Gold Cup in both 2007 and 2009, becoming the first horse ever to regain the Gold Cup having lost to Denman in the 2008 renewal. As for fillies, Rachel Alexandria.Serinas Song is my personal favorite, although she wouldn't be on your list. Even after stepping on a safety pin that lodged in his hoof, Spectacular Bid led the Belmont at the races halfway point before fading down the stretch and finishing third. When given a fair start in races both immediately before and after the Memorial, Man o War finished at least one full length ahead of Upset. Seattle Slew can definitely be considered as one of the best race horses to have ever kicked the grounds of the race tracks. Kelso only got better with age, winning seven of nine starts as a four-year-old and claiming Horse of the Year honors in each of his next four seasons to become the only five-time winner of the award. In 1981, Shergar was one of the greatest Derby winners ever when he took the race by a still record ten lengths. But she retired as the top $ winning mare of all time. If youre not faint hearted. 10. Flat racing is a type of horse racing that takes place on a level racecourse. Despite not running her first race until the age of three, the Kentucky Thoroughbred went on to win 19 straight races before coming within a nose of finishing her career with a perfect 20-record. His earnings of nearly $8.3 million in 2015 alone set a single-season record for race earnings, and he received 47% of online votes for Sports Illustrateds Sportsman of the Year award. The IRA has never admitted any role in the theft and the horse was never found. Find how you can enjoy, The King George VI Chase: everything you need to know about this historic horse race, Red Rum: the three-time Grand National winner who belonged at Aintree, 2.94m colt is highest-priced yearling sold in the world this year. Having already wowed fans in Australia for a few seasons, Black Caviar made her way to England to contest the the 2012 Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot. Her greatness is commemorated by a life-sized statue of her at Kincsem Park in Budapest. It was a national best seller. The racing legend was inducted into the US Horse Racing Hall of Fame in 2021. Secretariat is regarded by many as the most talented racehorses ever lived. His time of 1:20.20 set a track record (and was two-tenths of a second short of a new world standard) in the mile race, and he retired with a lifetime record of 18 wins, 2 seconds, and 1 third in 22 races. In 2020, he set the record for the number of Derby winners sired at five: New Approach, Ruler Of The World, Australia, Anthony Van Dyck and Serpentine. He ground down his opponents with his relentless pace. Race Horse Breeds: Tennessee Walker Tennessee Walker or Tennessee Walking horse is a breed of gaited horse known for its unique four-beat running walk and flashy movement. This statement in itself should tell you about the horses reputation and where one of it lies in being Austrailias historical prized jewels. So what is it that makes a successful horse into a one widely regarded as a peoples horse? Also read: 8 Interesting Facts About Secretariat. During her career, she brought home over 26 million Australian dollars (equivalent to 20 million USD). The 1973 race in which Red Rum secured his comeback victory from 30 lengths behind is often considered one of the greatest Grand Nationals in history. One of his farms holds home to Frankel which is the crown jewel of 259 Stallions as a heir to his legacy. His win in the 2,000 Guineas is regarded as the finest of his career, as he led the race from start to finish, opening a gap of 15 lengths by the halfway mark before easing home by 6 lengths. Number 1 amongest the best race horses, which Im sure everybody has been waiting for but hardly anticipated unless youve been a race horse fan since before Television then you would have probably had your bets on Phar Lap as well. His race record is remarkable and includes wins in the 2,000 Guineas, St Jamess Palace Stakes, Sussex Stakes, Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, Lockinge Stakes, Queen Anne Stakes, International Stakes and Champion Stakes. Lester Piggott As of 2014 his stud fee had risen to 350,000 and he has become one of, if nottheleading sire in world racing. Sacre won over 1.1million in prize money having taken the Tingle Creek, the Melling Chase at Aintree, the Punchestown Champion Chase, the Celebration Chase and most notably two Queen Mother Champion Chases at the Cheltenham Festival. As well as having been the punters pal in winning plenty of races, he was just as revered for trying and failing to win back the Gold cup three more times after 2009. He sustained a serious leg injury at Sandown in November 1979 and was off the racecourse for over a year, which made his Grand National win all the more remarkable. She has retired to stud as a broodmare. He was bred and owned throughout his racing career by Ahmed Zayat, trained by Bob Baffert, and ridden in most of his races by Victor Espinoza. Dancing Brave had a short, but very sweet racing career in 1985 and 1986, winning eight times in 10 starts. In 1983 he was stolen from the stud, and a ransom of 2m was demanded; it was not paid, and negotiations were soon broken off by the thieves. The great of the greatest and one of the best Race Horses of historical recorded all time. He had his first defeat fresh off his Triple Crown victory. Winx became the first horse in history to win the prestigious Cox Plate four times. This famous racehorse suffered a suspected heart attack and died in front of his adoring fans while racing at Exeter. Northern Dancer is without a doubt one of the most famous sires in horse racing history. In the vast majority of cases, as well as winning important races, the most famous horses have a back story that racing fans and the media are interested in. He first burst onto the national scene with easy victories at the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, winning both by 2 lengths while setting track records in the process. She was once declared by Sports Illustrated to be the greatest filly of all time, which seems an appropriate title after her amazing career. He retired to stud in 1965 and found immediate success. Group 1 Horse Races (Flat) All sports have their premier levels of competition, from football's Champions League to the majors in golf to name but two. This racecourse hosts one of the most exciting . At the time of his death he had sired 91 Group One winners, while 20 of his sons including Frankel and Australia have also sired Group One victors. Out of his 108 foals, Sea Sovereign and Sea Swallow made a name for themselves in the racing industry. She was no Sunline or Winx, but she was a special mare. Nothing beats a classic they say. In the one-on-one race, Seabiscuit came through as the underdog, defeating War Admiral by four lengths. When Secretariat was a young horse, his owner strongly considered having a dispersal sale for his stable after falling ill, and only his daughter Penny Chenery prevented Secretariat from being sold away. Which all in all generated a winning total of $1,316,808 to be an exact figure. After his retirement he became one of the most successful sires of all time and appears today in the pedigree of most modern Throughbreds should you look back at their lineage far enough. Kelso ended up setting two more records, including a record for the fastest two-mile time on dirt, and the fastest 1.5 miles recorded on grass. As one of the most talented racehorses ever, Citation was the first horse ever to win $1 million in earnings. Rather fittingly, he is buried at the winning post of Aintree Racecourse. That incident does indeed boost his notoriety, but it would be unfair for the uninitiated to assume this is the only reason the horse is so famous. Why are horse tracks called downs? Man o' War Man O' War was born in 1917 and is among the first three Triple Crown racehorses. While he missed out on the Triple Crown coming 3rd in the Belmont Stakes, he is considered the pride of Canadian Thoroughbred breeding. Seabiscuit on the other hand is a direct example outlining this statement as dont be fooled by his name since the history at which this horse has been apart of is something honorable. After not starting her career until she was a three-year-old due to ringworm, Zenyatta quickly showed the world her capabilities. Record-breaking Kauto Star (19 March 2000 29 June 2015) earnt his place in the record books and any list of famous racehorses with five wins in the King George VI Chase. In the world of flat horse racing, it is in the Group 1 sphere where the best in the business ply their trade. Affirmed finished his career with 22 wins, 5 seconds, and 1 third, finishing in the money in 28 of 29 starts. Although your list is only the top 12, I believe any one of these horses could be part of that list. Horse betting is a classic amongst the rich of the richest around the world. See Also; Top 10 Historically Famous Animals. One of his early progeny Nijinsky won the English Triple Crown, making him the most sought sire of the 20th century. It was foaled by Mary Baker of Malahow House at Ballymacoll Stud in County Meath, Ireland. Remarkably, Count Fleets wins in those Triple Crown events came when he wasnt even at his physical best. Heres 10 of the best race horses of all time ranked by win rate, and other great things that make them legendary horses altogether. On the rare occasions that the Florida product lost as a two- or three-year-old, it was often because he was beaten by another great horse. His jockey on that day, Bob Champion, had recovered from cancer, while Aldaniti had recovered after suffering a career-threatening injury. Horse & Hound 's most famous racehorses Frankel Foaled on 11 February 2008, Frankel is now retired from racing and is standing at stud. Lester Pigott will go down as one of the greatest flat racing jockeys of all time with a staggering 4,493 career wins to his name. During his career he won a host of the most prestigious races in the sport, and is one of the few racehorses in history to win the unlikely treble of the Cheltenham Gold Cup, Irish Grand National and King George VI Chase. The brown stallion had a stellar career from 1936 to 1938, winning 21 of his 26 starts and earning $273,240 in purses. You cannot go against a Ruffian and expect to come out with a clean slated escape. Well-known among people due to his unbeatable racing career, several awards, and statues in Hollywood. The famous race is featured in the 2003 movie Seabiscuit that even received an Academy Award for Best Picture nomination. He was given a final rating of 141 by Timeform in 1971 which made him the equal highest rated horse of the year along with Mill Reef. He also won the King George VI Chase in 2002 and amassed over 1m in prize money. Secretariat was eventually euthanized in 1989 after contracting laminitis, a painful hoof condition.